Creating decorative objects from weapons of war as mementos or
souvenirs is a practice that is probably as old as warfare itself.
In recent years, this form of art has become highly collectible
and is frequently called "Trench Art" because of the marvelous
works created during WWI by soldiers passing long, fearful hours
in the dangerous trenches along the front lines.

Brass shells or artillery cases (French: obus) such as those
shown on these pages were a popular and plentiful base material
used soldiers -both during the WWI and afterwards -- to create vases
and othr objects. The Mementos often commemorate battles they fought
in, remember fallen comrades, or celebrate the end of war and the
arrival of peace. Many such pieces are done in a late art nouveau
style.

Admiring these beautiful examples of craftsmanship
today it is hard to remember that these were once devastating weapons
of war.

Below: Destruction wrought by an obus
Photo from the French magazine
"Illustration" January 9, 1915

Trench
Art Vase Decorated with Roses

Repoussé Brass

Repoussé - a method often used to create Trench Art vases
-- is a technique of creating a design in relief by hammering or
pushing the reverse side of a metal surface.

Left: Two Trench Art Shell Vases decorated with the Cross of
Lorraine (Croix de Lorraine) and sprigs of Holly (symbol of immortality)

Symbolism of the Cross of LorraineThe Cross of Lorraine is the heraldic symbol of the Lorraine
region of France, site of some of the most devastating battles of
WWI. Originally it represented a reliquary containing a portion
of the true cross and was used by the Dukes of Anjou.

During WWII, Charles de Gaulle chose the Cross of Lorraine as the
symbol of the French resistance.

Since the early 20th Century the symbol has also been used to signify
the battle against tuberculosis and other lung diseases - One explanation
for this is the poison gas used during WWI, especially in the border
regions between France and Germany such as Lorraine.

Above: King George tours a
munitions factory in
Great Britain during WWI.